Acura: TLX News
09-26-2008, 02:59 PM
#4921
Racer
09-26-2008, 05:26 PM
#4925
stock grille and shitty tires
09-26-2008, 07:22 PM
#4927
Three Wheelin'
AcuraFinally showed the competition how the jobs done in every department save straightline pull power.
Top notch interior, badass handling, and honestly, i like the looks. Winner for sure, and I'm sure as we see these IN PERSON on the streets, many will flip and say that they like it.
I know I'm tired of seeing the same old boring, nondescript 3 series, and the same-as-1st gen G35. The new C-class looks even more boring. Only the A4 and IS look like worthy sport sedans. I'm happy Acura decided to go bold with this design - time will tell how good it is.
EDIT: This must be one SERIOUSLY quick car to massacre a 335i, itself no slouch.
Sounds like they've got the implementation of the SH-AWD down pat! Which means the next NSX will be a beast too look forward to.
09-26-2008, 08:21 PM
#4928
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I don't know how much R&D went into this, but according to Jeff from TOV, Acura basically redesigned the 6MT for this car. Basically the major changes are:
1.) New manual transmission that allowed the transfer of power to the SH-AWD® rear differential in addition to power being sent to a traditional front differential.
2.) Additional modifications were made to handle the increased torque output of the new 3.7L engine.
3.) Revised gear ratios
4.) ainshaft that is 14-percent larger in diameter compared to the one in the 08 TL-S
5.) Gears are being treated to glass beading and water jet blasting to smooth the outer metal surface as well as to reduce any possible stress risers.
6.) First gear synchronizers are now a triple cone design, Third and Fourth gear synchros feature 5.9-percent higher torque capacity, Fifth and Sixth gear synchros feature 9.1-percent higher torque capacity and the gearbox delivers an improved shifting feel.
All of the above can be found here:
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...&page_number=1
Also, I think the transmission is 110lb lighter than the AT, but the car itself is 88lb lighter.
1.) New manual transmission that allowed the transfer of power to the SH-AWD® rear differential in addition to power being sent to a traditional front differential.
2.) Additional modifications were made to handle the increased torque output of the new 3.7L engine.
3.) Revised gear ratios
4.) ainshaft that is 14-percent larger in diameter compared to the one in the 08 TL-S
5.) Gears are being treated to glass beading and water jet blasting to smooth the outer metal surface as well as to reduce any possible stress risers.
6.) First gear synchronizers are now a triple cone design, Third and Fourth gear synchros feature 5.9-percent higher torque capacity, Fifth and Sixth gear synchros feature 9.1-percent higher torque capacity and the gearbox delivers an improved shifting feel.
All of the above can be found here:
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...&page_number=1
Also, I think the transmission is 110lb lighter than the AT, but the car itself is 88lb lighter.
09-26-2008, 10:39 PM
#4929
I'm Down Right Fierce!
6mt SH-AWD TL sounds great.
$44k however, doesn't sound so great. Geez that's a hefty price tag for an ugly plenum grille.
They should atleast offer a sport grille as an option.
$44k however, doesn't sound so great. Geez that's a hefty price tag for an ugly plenum grille.
They should atleast offer a sport grille as an option.
09-27-2008, 03:07 AM
#4931
Chloe @ 17mo
09-27-2008, 12:55 PM
#4932
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The edmunds article reads:
"And finally, Audi's S4 will undergo both a heart transplant with a turbocharged V6 and a new all-wheel-drive system."
The new S4 is supercharged.
"And finally, Audi's S4 will undergo both a heart transplant with a turbocharged V6 and a new all-wheel-drive system."
The new S4 is supercharged.
09-27-2008, 01:02 PM
#4934
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Whatever Acura engineers, especially with respect to vehicle dynamis is usually top notch. However this TL, on paper, has three problems:
1. It's gotten pretty heavy
2. It (again) lacks torque considering the category and especially price
3. It's slow in the straight line.
I mean, 14.5 for the quarter for the money they charge is not gonna cut it. It's at least half a second too slow IMO.
And 273 lb/ft of torque on almost 4000 pounds is not much better than the 232 lb/ft on 3570 pounds of a 2001 CL Type S. At 3.7 liters this engine should be making at least 310 lb/ft at relatively low rpm.
1. It's gotten pretty heavy
2. It (again) lacks torque considering the category and especially price
3. It's slow in the straight line.
I mean, 14.5 for the quarter for the money they charge is not gonna cut it. It's at least half a second too slow IMO.
And 273 lb/ft of torque on almost 4000 pounds is not much better than the 232 lb/ft on 3570 pounds of a 2001 CL Type S. At 3.7 liters this engine should be making at least 310 lb/ft at relatively low rpm.
09-27-2008, 02:19 PM
#4935
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Keep in mind that 14.5s is only an estimate. For instance C&D estimated the TSX 6MT to reach 0-60mph in 7.5, but when they did the actual test, it got 6.7s.
I don't know about making at least 310lbft of torque with 3.7L...the G37 in comparison, makes 270lbft.
I don't know about making at least 310lbft of torque with 3.7L...the G37 in comparison, makes 270lbft.
09-27-2008, 02:22 PM
#4937
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Will the new AWD system be using torque-vectoring? If so, that will be interesting.
09-27-2008, 03:32 PM
#4939
6 Forward 1 Back
If anything Honda/Acura knows how to make a 6MT. I'm guessing they just wanted to have something to boost their performance image a year out when sales drop. Granted manual transmissions sales are a small % of their sales.
09-27-2008, 05:12 PM
#4940
exactly. I am sure the SH-AWD mated with the 6-spd is as beautiful as what the reviews have said, but I'll take the 335i for straightline acceleration any day.
yeah... with the 17" wheels...
09-27-2008, 05:17 PM
#4942
yeah, you are right, they got confused because of the "TFSI"... but T doesn't mean turbo... for example the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI is not turbo is supercharged...
09-28-2008, 12:14 AM
#4943
@ people whining about 1/4 mile times....who the hell is gonna take this car to the track? Like 1 in every 4,000 sold? I'd be embarrassed taking any car in this class to the drag strip...sorry.
09-28-2008, 08:10 AM
#4945
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The 3.7L in the Infiniti makes 330HP at 7000 rpm and its 270 lb/ft comes at 5200 rpm. In Acura's case the 305 HP comes at 6300 rpm, however its 273 lb/ft comes at 5000 rpm.
Meaning, I do accept lower absolute torque numbers when that torque peaks at relatively high rpm levels, in return for high absolute HP at relatively high rpm levels. Which is more the case of Infiniti's engine in this case and less of that of Acura's. A 300 lb/ft at 3500 would make more sense with the same peak HP at the same rpm in my opinion. It would be a lot more usable.
Of course the above is a very simplistic analysis based on an extremely narrow range on info related to an engine. An engine is a lot more than just its peak hp and torque at a specific point in its rpm range. For example, the TL's engine may be making 273 lb/ft at 5000 but at 3000 it may be making 250 lb/ft which would be a huge plus for the engine. And there are many other factors, like smoothness, throttle sensitivity, etc, etc.
However I just feel that this is not enough torque, once again, for a 4000 pound beast.
09-28-2008, 08:14 AM
#4947
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Not sure about vectoring, but I believe the new S4 makes around 290HP at under 5000 rpm and 310 lb/ft of torque at 2500 rpm. This is usable power. The S4, in theory, will feel more powerful than both the Infiniti G37 and the Acura TL (assuming similar weight).
09-28-2008, 08:17 AM
#4949
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Audi said they did extensive testing between a biturbo application and this supercharged solution combined with direct injection (which btw I believe is what's missing for Acura to finally start making torque figures which would be acceptable given the price of the TL) and found that the supercharged solution was far superior with respect to immediate large levels of torque from a standstill. And I dont doubt that at all. Notice how soon the peak HP is reached in this case. Below 5000 rpm. This is a very "American" engine, no doubt. Tons of pulling power at very low rpm with not much action at the top rpm range.
You can read about the engine here:
http://car.kak.net/2008/06/29/the-ne...supercharging/
09-28-2008, 08:22 AM
#4950
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It's only for bragging rights. It adds prestige to the car but you're right, in reality what the TL does on the track is irrelevant. However, wasnt that always the case for BMW? Nobady cared about what a BMW can do on a track but they all bought them because the car could.
09-28-2008, 12:33 PM
#4952
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The 3.7L in the Infiniti makes 330HP at 7000 rpm and its 270 lb/ft comes at 5200 rpm. In Acura's case the 305 HP comes at 6300 rpm, however its 273 lb/ft comes at 5000 rpm.
Meaning, I do accept lower absolute torque numbers when that torque peaks at relatively high rpm levels, in return for high absolute HP at relatively high rpm levels. Which is more the case of Infiniti's engine in this case and less of that of Acura's. A 300 lb/ft at 3500 would make more sense with the same peak HP at the same rpm in my opinion. It would be a lot more usable.
Of course the above is a very simplistic analysis based on an extremely narrow range on info related to an engine. An engine is a lot more than just its peak hp and torque at a specific point in its rpm range. For example, the TL's engine may be making 273 lb/ft at 5000 but at 3000 it may be making 250 lb/ft which would be a huge plus for the engine. And there are many other factors, like smoothness, throttle sensitivity, etc, etc.
However I just feel that this is not enough torque, once again, for a 4000 pound beast.
Meaning, I do accept lower absolute torque numbers when that torque peaks at relatively high rpm levels, in return for high absolute HP at relatively high rpm levels. Which is more the case of Infiniti's engine in this case and less of that of Acura's. A 300 lb/ft at 3500 would make more sense with the same peak HP at the same rpm in my opinion. It would be a lot more usable.
Of course the above is a very simplistic analysis based on an extremely narrow range on info related to an engine. An engine is a lot more than just its peak hp and torque at a specific point in its rpm range. For example, the TL's engine may be making 273 lb/ft at 5000 but at 3000 it may be making 250 lb/ft which would be a huge plus for the engine. And there are many other factors, like smoothness, throttle sensitivity, etc, etc.
However I just feel that this is not enough torque, once again, for a 4000 pound beast.
I understand your concern for the lack of torque, but unless they go with force induction, or increase the displacement, it's pretty difficult to get 300lbft of torque with 3.7L. Even with the IS350, the new 2GR-FSE engine that came out in 2006 (vs 1997 of the J series) that has DOHC, VVTi on both intake and exhaust sides, twin-injection system (direct-injection + port injection), it produces 277lbft of torque. If you do the math, and increases the displacement to 3.7L, theoretically it will make 292lbft, still far from "at least 310lbft." Now the J series doesn't have DOHC, and no direct injection, so it's not surprising it makes less torque for the given displacement.
I agree with you that it would nice to have more torque in the TL, but what I'm saying is, given what the J series has right now, it's not likely to have an extra 30lbft of torque with the same displacement.
09-28-2008, 12:39 PM
#4954
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Also the engine in the S4 is tuned to 333hp and 324lbft of torque, vs 290hp and 310lbft in the A6. The best part is, it produces that full 324lbft of torque from 2500-4850rpm.
Audi claims that the new S4 can do 0-60mph in 4.9s (not sure they are being conservative or not, I know BMW is). However, that's what I'd expect since this is the S4, not A4, it should be in another league above (or way above?) the TL and G35/G37.
09-28-2008, 05:16 PM
#4956
Chloe @ 17mo
I'm more impressed that this car seem to be able to corner really well. That's ideal for my kind of daily driving activities.
09-28-2008, 05:54 PM
#4957
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One of the main differences between the VQ and the J is DOHC vs SOHC. SOHC in general emphasizes on low end torque (and that's the indeed the case as shown by several J series dyno plots), while DOHC is more about rev-ability and thus high-end power. A lot of that extra power from the G37 is due to the higher redline, and its ability to keep on producing torque at higher rpm. Since hp is related to torque and rpm, it can make higher peak hp. For instance, the C32A in the legend produces 200-230hp, while the C32B in the NSX produces 290hp (of course there are also other modifications done to the C32B to achieve that kind of power).
I understand your concern for the lack of torque, but unless they go with force induction, or increase the displacement, it's pretty difficult to get 300lbft of torque with 3.7L. Even with the IS350, the new 2GR-FSE engine that came out in 2006 (vs 1997 of the J series) that has DOHC, VVTi on both intake and exhaust sides, twin-injection system (direct-injection + port injection), it produces 277lbft of torque. If you do the math, and increases the displacement to 3.7L, theoretically it will make 292lbft, still far from "at least 310lbft." Now the J series doesn't have DOHC, and no direct injection, so it's not surprising it makes less torque for the given displacement.
I agree with you that it would nice to have more torque in the TL, but what I'm saying is, given what the J series has right now, it's not likely to have an extra 30lbft of torque with the same displacement.
I understand your concern for the lack of torque, but unless they go with force induction, or increase the displacement, it's pretty difficult to get 300lbft of torque with 3.7L. Even with the IS350, the new 2GR-FSE engine that came out in 2006 (vs 1997 of the J series) that has DOHC, VVTi on both intake and exhaust sides, twin-injection system (direct-injection + port injection), it produces 277lbft of torque. If you do the math, and increases the displacement to 3.7L, theoretically it will make 292lbft, still far from "at least 310lbft." Now the J series doesn't have DOHC, and no direct injection, so it's not surprising it makes less torque for the given displacement.
I agree with you that it would nice to have more torque in the TL, but what I'm saying is, given what the J series has right now, it's not likely to have an extra 30lbft of torque with the same displacement.
293 lb/ft is pretty close to 300 and I am sure it could be improved upon. And it comes at 4800 rpm. Plus the IS weighs 3527 pounds. Bottom line, what I'm saying is that Acura should find a way to make more torque than the 73.8 lb per liter which is the case of the AWD TL. Otherwise, forced induction it is then for Acura. We need more torque. The 335 in reality makes about 350 pounds of torque. That's more like it.
09-28-2008, 06:00 PM
#4959
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You know what, I just checked, and the new S4 will come with a torque-vectoring system supplied by Haldex, but it is only available as an option.
Also the engine in the S4 is tuned to 333hp and 324lbft of torque, vs 290hp and 310lbft in the A6. The best part is, it produces that full 324lbft of torque from 2500-4850rpm.
Audi claims that the new S4 can do 0-60mph in 4.9s (not sure they are being conservative or not, I know BMW is). However, that's what I'd expect since this is the S4, not A4, it should be in another league above (or way above?) the TL and G35/G37.
Also the engine in the S4 is tuned to 333hp and 324lbft of torque, vs 290hp and 310lbft in the A6. The best part is, it produces that full 324lbft of torque from 2500-4850rpm.
Audi claims that the new S4 can do 0-60mph in 4.9s (not sure they are being conservative or not, I know BMW is). However, that's what I'd expect since this is the S4, not A4, it should be in another league above (or way above?) the TL and G35/G37.
Here is the S4's info:
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...9/1023/CARNEWS
09-28-2008, 07:25 PM
#4960
Safety Car
My Guess
Also, I think that they are spreading out their debuts/introductions in their lineup to meet their goal of a new product every 6 months ...